Astroball audiobook cover - The New Way to Win it All

Astroball

The New Way to Win it All

Ben Reiter

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Astroball
The Data Revolution+
Tech & Analytics+
Strategic Economics+
Risk & Adaptation+
Culture & Chemistry+
Limits of Data+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What key realization did data analyst Sig Mejdal take from his time working at casino blackjack tables?
  • A. Players who trust their gut instincts consistently outperform those who rely on probability.
  • B. Human beings tend to rely on their gut instincts over mathematical reason, even when probability offers a better choice.
  • C. The rules of blackjack can be directly applied to baseball's scoring system.
  • D. Casino games are entirely based on luck, whereas sports rely entirely on measurable physical talent.
Question 2 of 8
How did the PITCHf/x camera system help the Astros discover pitcher Collin McHugh's hidden potential?
  • A. It revealed that his overall throwing speed was significantly faster than the league average.
  • B. It showed he possessed an exceptionally high spin rate on his curveballs despite having average overall metrics.
  • C. It proved that his throwing motion put less stress on his ulnar collateral ligament than other pitchers.
  • D. It highlighted his ability to perfectly predict where a batter would swing based on their stance.
Question 3 of 8
Why did the Astros choose to draft Carlos Correa over the more established prospect Byron Buxton?
  • A. Correa's defensive stats were significantly worse, allowing the Astros to sign him for the league minimum.
  • B. Correa was older and possessed more major league experience, making him a safer immediate investment.
  • C. Correa was younger, giving him better long-term prospects, and his lower draft bonus freed up money to sign other top players.
  • D. Correa was already a massive star in Puerto Rico, guaranteeing the Astros a boost in international ticket sales.
Question 4 of 8
What does the recruitment of José Altuve demonstrate about data-driven scouting?
  • A. It helps teams identify players who have high marketability despite poor on-field performance.
  • B. It allows teams to overlook serious medical red flags if a player's batting average is high enough.
  • C. It helps scouts overcome physical prejudices, such as dismissing a player solely because of their short stature.
  • D. It proves that a player's physical size is the most accurate predictor of their defensive capabilities.
Question 5 of 8
How did the Astros strategically handle the situation when top draft pick Brady Aiken failed his medical examination?
  • A. They ignored the medical staff and signed him anyway, which eventually led to a massive financial loss.
  • B. They offered him a reduced signing bonus that he rejected, allowing the team to secure a transfer fee and eventually draft Alex Bregman.
  • C. They traded his draft rights immediately to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a veteran pitcher.
  • D. They paid him his full bonus but forced him to undergo immediate surgery and a strict rehabilitation program.
Question 6 of 8
What crucial lesson about athletic development is illustrated by JD Martinez's career trajectory?
  • A. Players who plateau must proactively adapt their techniques, such as how Martinez changed to an upward swing.
  • B. Data analytics cannot accurately measure a batter's swing velocity, making traditional hitting coaches obsolete.
  • C. Players who suffer minor injuries rarely return to their previous level of major league performance.
  • D. A player's success is entirely dependent on the specific team they play for, rather than their individual training habits.
Question 7 of 8
According to the text, how did players like Carlos Beltrán and Alex Bregman significantly boost the Astros' team spirit?
  • A. By organizing mandatory data-analytics classes for all new recruits to understand the team's philosophy.
  • B. By bridging the linguistic and cultural divide between English-speaking and Hispanic players.
  • C. By convincing the management to increase the baseline salaries for international minor league players.
  • D. By enforcing a strict English-only rule in the clubhouse to ensure clear and unified communication.
Question 8 of 8
Why did Astros sporting director Jeff Luhnow ultimately overrule Sig Mejdal's algorithm to sign expensive pitcher Justin Verlander?
  • A. The algorithm failed to account for Verlander's immense popularity and the merchandise revenue he would generate.
  • B. Luhnow realized the algorithm was programmed with outdated injury data from Verlander's college years.
  • C. The algorithm missed the changing economic climate of rising player salaries and the ability of elite players to adapt their techniques.
  • D. Luhnow wanted to prove to traditional scouts that he still valued gut instinct over mathematical data in all major decisions.

Astroball — Full Chapter Overview

Astroball Summary & Overview

Astroball (2018) charts the managerial revolution that propelled the Houston Astros baseball team from mid-league mediocrity to winning the 2017 World Series. The secret? Ditching old-fashioned scouting and recruiting policies that relied on “gut instinct” and embracing the power of big data. Full of fascinating insights into the world of American baseball, with all its traditions and mores, this is a must-read book for both those who love the sport, as well as anyone fascinated by the way tech is reshaping our world.

Who Should Listen to Astroball?

  • Baseball fanatics
  • Tech-heads
  • Lateral thinkers

About the Author: Ben Reiter

Ben Reiter is a New York-based journalist and regular contributor to Sports Illustrated, Time and the Village Voice. Astroball is his first book.

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